When veteran Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo talks, markets hear. That is as a result of Kuo, primarily based in Hong Kong, sits in the midst of Apple’s Asia-Pacific provide chain; he is aware of all of the distributors, sees the Apple gears in movement when any new iPhone is within the works, and is often on the cash.
In a brand new interview, Kuo says that the iPhone Fold — Apple’s first smartphone with a folding display screen — is actual, and it is coming subsequent yr. However he additionally warns that the corporate is having a tough time constructing them quick sufficient to fulfill the possible large demand. (Probably large as a result of … c’mon. Foldable. iPhone.)
“Growth of the foldable iPhone is behind earlier expectations, however the product remains to be anticipated to announce” within the second half of 2026, Kuo writes in his abstract of the interview. “As a result of early-stage yield and ramp-up challenges, easy shipments could not happen till 2027. With restricted provide and anticipated robust demand, the foldable iPhone could possibly be dealing with shortages till at the least the top of 2026.”
Apple is reportedly engaged on 7 new iPhones. Here is all we all know.
Translation: The iPhone-making machine in Kuo’s a part of the world, the one which the Cupertino firm nonetheless depends on, is not ramping up quick sufficient and does not have sufficient supplies. So, numerous prospects are going to search out they cannot get the highest merchandise on their Christmas lists in 2026.
Mashable Mild Velocity
And meaning we’re taking a look at one other iPhone 14 Professional/Max state of affairs. That was the place — as Kuo predicted on the time — many purchasers discovered them out of inventory on the Apple retailer till 2023, regardless of an October 2022 launch.
That is not the one purpose you is likely to be upset by the iPhone Fold. The opposite purpose: Its price ticket.
One other analyst within the area pegged the possible value at $2,399, which is on the excessive finish of different analyst estimates. You might get at the least two MacBook Air laptops for that value (and perhaps even three with the M4 chip at present costs.)
That could be an excessive amount of for a lot of customers, particularly if the financial system takes a post-AI bubble downturn. Which might imply diminished demand, which in flip would imply that should you actually need to shell out all that scratch for an iPhone Fold, you would possibly simply have an opportunity of getting one in time to take candid pictures with its cameras (two on the entrance, two on the again, in line with the rumor mill) on New 12 months’s Eve 2026.
